[TCML] RE: Inspecting a coil while running

[Lau, Gary]

Terry Fritz built and documented a voltage and current scope probe using optical fiber isolation.  I and a few others on this List have built it, and documentation is archived at:
http://www.hot-streamer.com/TeslaCoils/Misc/R4APROBE.XLS
http://www.hot-streamer.com/TeslaCoils/Misc/R4APROBE.ZIP
http://www.hot-streamer.com/TeslaCoils/Misc/R4Probe.doc

I have found it difficult to calibrate, as the optical coupling between the fiber and transducers is often variable, but it gives excellent qualitative results, and is capable of quantitative results if care is taken.

Regards, Gary Lau
MA, USA


> -----Original Message-----
> From: tesla-bounces at pupman.com [mailto:tesla-bounces at pupman.com] On
> Behalf Of Stephen J. Hobley
> Sent: Thursday, August 07, 2008 3:09 PM
> To: Tesla Coil Mailing List
> Subject: [TCML] Inspecting a coil while running
>
> ...and another question. :-)
>
> I'd really like to take a closer look at some of the electrical signals operating in
> different parts of the coil while running. Is there any information on building devices
> that can safely couple an oscilloscope to coil components?
>
> Areas of interest are static spark gap timing, primary ringdown, first and second
> notches etc...
>
> I thought about maybe some kind of radio receiver arrangement, so that physical
> contact is not required - but I would interested in any other methods.
>
> Steve